Mini shopping bag holder

ABSTRACT

An ultra compact, lightweight, sturdy bag holder that comprises an elongated shaped body of rigid material having a predetermined cross-sectional shape and strength that can easily be carried in the palm of ones&#39; hand (FIG.  25 ; FIG.  25 A). The bag holder further comprises a predetermined number of apertures (FIG.  1/21 ; FIG.  2/21 , FIG.  3/22 ) or a predetermined number of grooves (FIG.  8/23 ; FIG.  9/23 ; FIG.  10/23 ) or a vertical cut at either end of the bag holder (FIG.  5/24 ) or a combination of two apertures (FIG.  4/21 ) and one groove (FIG.  4/23 ), or one aperture (FIG.  6/22 ) and two cuts (FIG.  6/24 ) or one groove (FIG.  7/23 ) and two cuts (FIG.  7/24 ). The aperture(s), cuts and groove(s) are designed to allow the integrally formed loop handle of shopping bags to be attached to the bag holder and depending on the configuration of the bag holder to keep the shopping bag closed and to prevent the content from spilling when placed on a flat surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to shopping bag holders, specifically to an improved method of carrying plastic shopping bags and closing shopping bags during travel.

Supermarkets and other merchandisers often utilize plastic bags for packaging consumer products. These bags include integrally formed loop handles that permit a user to carry a bag with its content with ease and reliability by simply gripping the handles and carrying these bags in one's hand. However, while these plastic bags may facilitate a reliable means of transporting goods, the bag loop handles have a tendency to bite into the customer's fingers causing discomfort. This is especially the case when a bag needs to be carried over a long distance and when the content of the bag is heavy. Furthermore, the plastic bag tend to collapse when placed on a surface like a car seat, a bus floor, a car boot or other surface, with the result that its content frequently spills out.

Many attempts have been made to overcome some or all of the above discussed problems by utilizing bag holders to carry bags and bag holders that can also maintain the bag in a closed position when placed on a surface like the floor of an autobus.

The applicant has found many different patents of shopping bags holders and 136 patents that he has identified as being the most relevant to his application are shown below. Because of the sheer volume, discussing all of the patents as prior art, would be quite time consuming. The applicant has identified three main categories. He will indicate which those categories are and discuss patents from each category with regard to his present invention.

The first category he has identified comprises those bag holders that are light weight and of limited life span manufactured from textile, cardboard, vinyl and similar materials. Examples of these but to mention a few are:

-   Bourgeois et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,582; Jan. 30, 1996 -   Franko, U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,029; Aug. 19, 1997 -   Tipp, U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,757; Jul. 7, 1998 -   Lisbon, U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,522; Sep. 8, 1998

All four bag holders have limited usefulness in reducing discomfort when carrying a shopping bag with three out of the four keeping the shopping bag closed when placed on a flat surface. However, the choice of material reduces greatly the amount of bags that these bag holders are able to take and the load these bag holders can withstand and even the weather condition that one of them can be used in, as it is made out of carton. All in all, they are very restrictive in their use and their ease of use apart from their cost price and longevity because of the choice of materials like hook and pile type fastener (Bourgeois), a clumsy tab to be inserted in a slot (Franko), a vinyl type material lacking strength and the ability to close the bag (Tipp) and the use of carton (Lisbon). Especially U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,582, Bourgeois et al, Jan. 30, 1996, could well be expensive to make as it appears that manufacturing would require considerable labor input.

The second category the applicant has identified comprises those bag holders that are still reasonable simple of design and mainly manufactured from plastic type materials. Many have in common that they have a groove where the handles of the shopping bag have to be inserted into and are designed to take the bags ‘lengthwise’, that is to say that the handles of the shopping bag run in a direction across the palm of the hand. Some have little cuts or hooks or even a number of hooks to hang bags on. Most will require initial outlay to make a mold if manufactured. Some will not be very sturdy and all large enough as to extend past both sides of the palm of a hand to allow for room for bag handles beyond that point. Very few can keep the shopping bag closed when placed on a surface and the ones that do can be difficult to operate and expensive to manufacture. Also, when the length of a bag holder increases, it will become more difficult to carry a heavy load. Examples of these but to mention a few are:

-   Fink, U.S. Pat. No. 4,841,596; Jun. 27, 1989 -   Schulten, U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,355; Jan. 2, 1990 -   Nobakht, U.S. Pat. No. 4,902,060; Feb. 20, 1990 -   Dieterich, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,926; Jul. 9, 1991 -   Blocker et al, Pat. No. Des. 323,968; Feb. 18, 1992 -   Du Buisson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,494; Jul. 18, 1995 -   Giocanti, U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,266; Sep. 16, 1997 -   LeRoux, U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,803; Nov. 30, 1999 -   Palmer, U.S. Pat. No. 7,302,735; Dec. 4, 2007     and many more.

The third category of bag holders that the applicant has identified comprises larger sized bag holders. They usually consist of a carrying handle and attached to the carrying handle a separate construction where the bags are attached to, rather than to the carrying handle itself. Their main disadvantage is their large size that makes it inconvenient to carry them along when going shopping. Because of their size and often much more complicated construction, especially when designed to keep the bags closed when placed on a surface, most or all will be quite expensive to manufacture. Examples of these but to 101 mention a few are:

-   Griffin, U.S. Pat. No. 1,572,006; Feb. 9, 1926 -   Montoya, U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,757; Jan. 26, 1993 -   Daigle, Pat. No. Des. 340,863; Nov. 2, 1993 -   Richardson et al, Pat. No. Des. 386,682; Nov. 25, 1997 -   Gurry et al, Pat. No. Des. 388,326; Dec. 30, 1997 -   Randall, Pat. No. Des. 400,785; Nov. 10, 1998 -   Seibel, U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,388; May 18, 1999 -   DiMeo et al, Pat. No. Des. 417,393; Dec. 7, 1999 -   LeRoux, Pat. No. D441,653; May 8, 2001 -   LeRoux, Pat. No, D483,668; Dec. 16, 2003

A number of patents that the applicant has studied and that he found relevant to his application are:

 # 1 Kempshall   257,721 May 9, 1882  # 2 Turner   270,917 Jan. 23, 1883  # 3 Bridwell   399,180 Mar. 5, 1889  # 4 Pusey   609,946 Aug. 30, 1898  # 5 Nakamura 1,564,101 Jun. 18, 1925  # 6 Griffin 1,572,006 Jan. 26, 1924  # 7 Worth 1,618,854 Jun. 18, 1925  # 8 Wolf 1,675,439 Oct. 15, 1923  # 9 Poyer 2,023,098 Jun. 14, 1934 # 10 Becklin 2,041,691 May 11, 1934 # 11 Crary 2,122,025 Feb. 1, 1937 # 12 Crary 2,215,116 May 24, 1937 # 13 Santa Maria et al 2,287,329 May 9, 1941 # 14 Goza 2,394,050 Feb. 5, 1946 # 15 Elliott 2,444,558 Jul. 6, 1948 # 16 Laus 2,448,894 Jul. 2, 1947 # 17 Elliott 2,506,781 Jun. 25, 1948 # 18 Herbert et al 2,519,186 Apr. 12, 1949 # 19 Schulte 2,684,797 Jul. 27, 1954 # 20 Taipale 2,717,411 Mar. 19, 1954 # 21 Poryle 2,778,555 Jan. 22, 1957 # 22 Charlick 2,846,714 May 14, 1956 # 23 Dills 3,149,367 Dec. 4, 1962 # 24 Wilson 3,207,397 Dec. 9, 1963 # 25 Stauffer 3,800,361 Apr. 2, 1974 # 26 Franges 3,912,140 Oct. 14, 1975 # 27 Richards et al 3,913,172 Oct. 21, 1975 # 28 Olivier 4,004,722 Jan. 25, 1977 # 29 Taylor et al 4,420,178 Dec. 13, 1983 # 30 Enersen 4,590,640 May 27, 1986 # 31 Kroll 4,621,855 Nov. 11, 1986 # 32 Holem 4,657,295 Apr. 14, 1987 # 33 Parry et al 4,772,059 Sep. 20, 1988 # 34 Rimland 4,796,940 Jan. 10, 1989 # 35 Fink 4,841,596 Jan. 27, 1989 # 36 Leonard 4,846,519 Jul. 11, 1989 # 37 Schulten 4,890,355 Jan. 2, 1990 # 38 Nabakht 4,902,060 Feb. 20, 1990 # 39 Sweeny 4,932,702 Jun. 12, 1990 # 40 Rutens 4,991,894 Feb. 12, 1991 # 41 Lunsford 5,005,891 Apr. 9, 1991 # 42 Dieterich Jr. 5,029,926 Jul. 9, 1991 # 43 Phillips 5,060,998 Oct. 29, 1991 # 44 Montoya 5,181,757 Jan. 26, 1993 # 45 Howell 5,199,758 Apr. 6, 1993 # 46 Torres 5,356,190 Oct. 18, 1994 # 47 Bartocci 5,364,148 Nov. 15, 1994 # 48 Normann 5,368,393 Nov. 29, 1994 # 49 Roberts 5,411,307 May 2, 1995 # 50 Du Buisson 5,433,494 Jul. 18, 1995 # 51 Goddard 5,441,323 Aug. 15, 1995 # 52 Bourgeois et al 5,487,582 Jan. 30, 1996 # 53 Randels 5,527,076 Jun. 18, 1996 # 54 Van Davelaar 5,599,052 Feb. 4, 1997 # 55 Marley et al 5,615,921 Apr. 1, 1997 # 56 Kosteniuk 5,645,306 Jul. 8, 1997 # 57 Bystrom et al 5,651,575 Jul. 29, 1997 # 58 Franko 5,658,029 Aug. 19, 1997 # 59 Giocanti 5,667,266 Sep. 16, 1997 # 60 Robinson Sr. et al 5,697,661 Dec. 16, 1997 # 61 Fan 5,738,401 Apr. 14, 1998 # 62 Tipp 5,775,757 Jul. 7, 1998 # 63 Lisbon 5,803,522 Sep. 8, 1998 # 64 Harper 5,855,403 Jan. 5, 1999 # 65 Good 5,881,432 Mar. 16, 1999 # 66 Brown 5,894,972 Apr. 20, 1999 # 67 Seibel 5,904,388 May 18, 1999 # 68 LeRoux 5,992,803 Nov. 30, 1999 # 69 Moses 6,045,019 Apr. 4, 2000 # 70 Leonardi 6,049,948 Apr. 18, 2000 # 71 Lyon 6,247,739 Jun. 19, 2001 # 72 Miller Jr. 6,347,822 Feb. 19, 2002 # 73 Bozlee 6,354,645 Mar. 12, 2002 # 74 Greenlee 6,378,925 Apr. 30, 2002 # 75 Oien 6,395,319 May 28, 2002 # 76 Wickson 6,623,056 Sep. 23, 2003 # 77 Flynn 6,499,781 Dec. 31, 2002 # 78 Graham 6,824,182 Nov. 30, 2004 # 79 Scholes 7,024,730 Apr. 11, 2006 # 80 Hajianpour 7,125,061 Oct. 24, 2006 # 81 Orefice 7,232,168 Jun. 19, 2007 # 82 Palmer 7,302,735 Dec. 4, 2007 # 83 Sharpe 7,387,324 Jun. 17, 2008 # 84 Miano Des. 137,712 Apr. 18, 1944 # 85 Marshall Des. 266,488 Oct. 12, 1982 # 86 Gagnon Des. 269,253 Jun. 7, 1983 # 87 O'Neill Des. 305,297 Jan. 2, 1990 # 88 Preciutti Des. 314,150 Jan. 29, 1991 # 89 Cloonan et al Des. 318,213 Jul. 16, 1991 # 90 Clark Des. 319,569 Sep. 3, 1991 # 91 Blocker et al Des. 323,968 Feb. 18, 1992 # 92 Sweeny Des. 325,156 Apr. 7, 1992 # 93 Montoya Des. 325,169 Apr. 7, 1992 # 94 Schuttinga Des. 329,973 Oct. 6, 1992 # 95 Fleming Des. 332,918 Feb. 2, 1993 # 96 Oden Des. 337,053 Jul. 6, 1993 # 97 Daigle Des. 340,863 Nov. 2, 1993 # 98 Kennedy et al Des. 359,235 Jun. 13, 1995 # 99 Meyers et al Des. 362,181 Sep. 12, 1995 # 100  Muchnick Des. 363,664 Oct. 31, 1995 # 101  Halpin et al Des. 367,817 Mar. 12, 1996 # 102  Kitazaki Des. 369,745 May 14, 1996 # 103  Kirkwood Des. 372,425 Aug. 6, 1996 # 104  Stowell et al Des. 372,865 Aug. 20, 1996 # 105  Salazar Jr. Des. 374,621 Oct. 15, 1996 # 106  Hepworth Des. 384,279 Sep. 30, 1997 # 107  Risser Des. 385,788 Nov. 4, 1997 # 108  Richardson et al Des. 386,682 Nov. 25, 1997 # 109  Gurry et al Des. 388,326 Dec. 30, 1997 # 110  Henderson Des. 394,351 May 19, 1998 # 111  Randall Des. 400,785 Nov. 10, 1998 # 112  Ball Des. 404,645 Jan. 20, 1999 # 113  Selig et al Des. 411,093 Jun. 15, 1999 # 114  DiMeo Des. 417,393 Dec. 7, 1999 # 115  Le Roux Des. 423,348 Apr. 25, 2000 # 116  Lademann, III Des. 429,454 Aug. 15, 2000 # 117  Folmar Des. 430,029 Aug. 29, 2000 # 118  Manseau et al D436,036 Jan. 9, 2001 # 119  Ellers D440,492 Apr. 17, 2001 # 120  Le Roux D441,653 May 8, 2001 # 121  Bozlee D442,085 May 15, 2001 # 122  Pruitt et al D442,487 May 22, 2001 # 123  Quintana D446,652 Aug. 21, 2001 # 124  Nakagawa D447,947 Sep. 18, 2001 # 125  Bargsten et al D448,992 Oct. 9, 2001 # 126  Lalande D456,264 Apr. 30, 2002 # 127  Foster D458,120 Jun. 4, 2002 # 128  Ronne et al D458,130 Jun. 4, 2002 # 129  Taylor D467,498 Dec. 24, 2002 # 130  Putnam D480,645 Oct. 14, 2003 # 131  Le Roux D483,668 Dec. 16, 2003 # 132  Baum D528,413 Sep. 19, 2006 # 133  Palmer D528,414 Sep. 19, 2006 # 134  Williamson D566,546 Apr. 15, 2008 # 135  Novakovich et al D567,648 Apr. 29, 2008 # 136  Puerta D624,411 Sep. 28, 2010

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention my mini bag holder and bag closure combination for plastic shopping bags has the following attributes: light, strong, ultra compact, durable, cheap to produce, made from a renewable source, able to take advertising, able to keep the bag closed when put down on a flat surface, able to be produced easily in different colors, able to take several bags at a time, taking the load in a central position so that it extends from the arm and therefore the load becomes easier to carry and small enough that it will fit in a shirt pocket or a small purse.

Accordingly several objects and advantages of my invention are:

-   (a) to provide a bag holder that is compact measuring not more than     10 cm in length and not more than 2 cm in diameter; -   (b) to provide a bag holder that is light, weighing only approximate     16 gram when made out of dry wood; -   (c) to provide a bag holder that is strong and able to carry loads     in excess of 40 pounds -   (d) to provide a bag holder that is durable and will serve for many     years; -   (e) to provide a bag holder that is user-friendly; -   (f) to provide a bag holder made from a renewable source like pine     timber; -   (g) to provide a bag holder that can be produced from many other     materials like recycled plastic; -   (h) to provide a bag holder that is cheap to manufacture; -   (i) to provide a bag holder that holds a bag closed to prevent the     content from spilling when placed on a flat surface; -   (j) to provide a bag holder that can take several bags like up to 4     or 5 at a time; -   (k) to provide a bag holder that lays pleasant in the hand; -   (l) to provide a bag holder that is so designed that the centre of     the load becomes like an extension of the arm making it easier to     carry a load; -   (m) to provide a bag holder that can take a logo or advertising; -   (n) to provide a bag holder that can be produced in a natural timber     look or in any other desired color; -   (o) to provide a bag holder that has no moving parts; -   (p) to provide a bag holder that can be of benefit to countless     people, especially those that lack the luxury of a car; -   (q) to provide a bag holder that is so small that shoppers can     easily take along two bag holders when shopping, allowing for     shopping bags to be carried and balanced in two hands; -   (r) to provide a bag holder that is so small that a person can hold     two bag holders in one hand if a free hand is needed for example     when unlocking a car or when boarding a bus; -   (s) to provide a bag holder that can be ‘hung’ of an arm when two     free hands are needed; -   (t) to provide a bag holder that, when made from timber, is not     likely to cause sweating of the hand when carrying it in warm     weather; -   (u) to provide a bag holder that is cheap to distribute; -   (v) to provide a bag holder that requires a minimum amount of     packaging; -   (w) to provide a bag holder that can be sold in pairs in a little     pouch/key ring avoiding altogether the need for individual packaging     material; -   (x) to provide a bag holder that is innovative and attractive.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

In the drawings closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetical suffixes.

Page 1/7

FIG. 25 shows a front elevation of cylindrical body with a length of approximate 10 cm and a diameter of approximate 2 cm (FIG. 25A) that forms the basic structure of all embodiments in this patent application.

Page 2/7

FIG. 1 shows a bag holder with 1 aperture (perspective)

FIG. 2 shows a bag holder with 2 apertures (perspective)

FIG. 3 shows a bag holder with 3 apertures (perspective)

FIG. 4 shows a bag holder with 2 apertures and 1 groove (perspective)

Page 3/7

FIG. 2A shows a bag holder with 2 apertures (perspective)

FIG. 2B shows a bag holder with 2 apertures (perspective)

FIG. 2C shows part of a shopping bag attached to a bag holder with 2 apertures (perspective)

FIG. 2D shows part of an integrally formed loop handle of a shopping bag being attached to or being removed from a bag holder with 2 apertures (perspective)

Page 4/7

FIG. 2E shows part of a shopping bag attached to a bag holder with 2 apertures being carried in a hand and showing the integrally formed loop handles of the shopping bag exiting from between the fingers of the hand being a vital feature that enables the compact design of the bag holder (perspective)

Page 5/7

FIG. 5A shows a bag holder with 2 vertical cuts (top plan)

FIG. 5 shows a bag holder with 2 vertical cuts (perspective)

FIG. 6 shows a bag holder with 2 vertical cuts and 1 aperture (perspective)

FIG. 7 shows a bag holder with 2 vertical cuts and 1 groove (perspective)

FIG. 5B shows part of a shopping bag attached to a bag holder with 2 (perspective) vertical cuts being carried in a hand and showing the integrally formed loop handles of the shopping bag firmly held in place as they exit from between the fingers of the hand being a vital feature that enables the compact design of the bag holder (perspective)

Page 6/7

FIG. 8 shows a bag holder with 1 vertical groove (perspective)

FIG. 9 shows a bag holder with 2 vertical grooves (perspective)

FIG. 10 shows a bag holder with 3 vertical grooves (perspective)

Page 7/7

FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B show how to make a simple knot to attach a shopping bag to a bag holder with one or more grooves when the requirement exists for the bag to remain closed when put down on a flat surface (perspective)

NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

-   11 Body of a bag holder with one aperture -   12 Body of a bag holder with two apertures -   13 Body of a bag holder with three apertures -   14 Body of a bag holder with two apertures and one groove -   15 Body of a bag holder with two cuts -   16 Body of a bag holder with two cuts and one aperture -   17 Body of a bag holder with two cuts and one groove -   18 Body of a bag holder with one groove -   19 Body of a bag holder with two grooves -   20 Body of a bag holder with three grooves -   21 Oval aperture -   22 Round aperture -   23 Groove -   24 Cut

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It will be readily understood that the lay-out of my bag holder as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus the following more detailed description of the bag holder, the different configurations of the bag holder and methods of attaching and carrying bags as represented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention but is merely representative of the bag holder.

A preferred embodiment of the bag holder is illustrated in FIG. 2 on drawing page 2/7, FIG. 2A, in FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D on drawing page 2/7 and in FIG. 2E on drawing page 3/6. The bag holder comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a length of approximate 10 cm and a diameter of approximate 2 cm and further comprises two oval shaped apertures of approximate 1.5 cm long and 1 cm wide perpendicular to the length of the bag holder in the centre of the cylindrical shaped body leaving 0.5 cm material on either side of the apertures with the edges of the apertures being rounded and with the centers of both apertures being at a distance of 2.5 cm from both outer ends of the bag holder.

A second additional embodiment of the bag holder of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 on drawing page 2/7. The bag holder comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a length of approximate 10 cm and a diameter of approximate 2 cm and having one oval shaped aperture of approximate 1.5 cm long and 1 cm wide perpendicular to the length of the bag holder in the centre of the cylindrical shaped body leaving 0.5 cm material on either side of the aperture with the edges of the aperture being rounded and having a distance from the centre of the aperture to both outer ends of the bag holder of 5 cm.

A third additional embodiment for this bag holder is illustrated in FIG. 3 on drawing page 2/7 and comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a length of approximate 10 cm and a diameter of approximate 2 cm and further comprises three apertures with a diameter of approximate 1 cm perpendicular to the length of the bag holder in the centre of the cylindrical shaped body leaving 0.5 cm material on either side of the apertures and the edges of the apertures being rounded. The centers of the three apertures are at a distance of 2.5 cm from each other and the centers of the two outer apertures have a distance of 2.5 cm to both outer ends of the bag holder.

A fourth additional embodiment for this bag holder is illustrated in FIG. 4 on drawing page 2/7 and comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a length of approximate 10 cm and a diameter of approximate 2 cm and further comprises two oval apertures of approximate 1.5 cm long and 1 cm wide perpendicular to the length of the bag holder in the centre of the cylindrical shaped body leaving 0.5 cm material on either side of the aperture and the edges of the apertures being rounded. The centers of both apertures are at a distance of 2.5 cm from both outer ends of the bag holder. In addition the bag holder comprises one groove of approximate 1 cm wide and 0.2 cm deep in the middle of the bag holder with the two edges of the groove being rounded and with the running direction of the groove being around the bag holder like a ring around a finger.

A fifth additional embodiment for this bag holder is illustrated in FIG. 5, FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B on drawing page 5/7 and comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a length of approximate 10 cm and a diameter of approximate 2 cm and further comprises a vertical cut of approximate 2.5 cm deep and 0.5 cm wide at both ends in the centre of the cylindrical shaped body.

A sixth additional embodiment for this bag holder is illustrated in FIG. 6 on drawing page 5/7 and comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a length of approximate 10 cm and a diameter of approximate 2 cm and further comprises a vertical cut of approximate 2.5 cm deep and 0.5 cm wide at both ends in the centre of the cylindrical shaped body and further comprises one aperture with a diameter of approximate 1 cm perpendicular to the length of the bag holder in the centre of the cylindrical shaped body leaving 0.5 cm material on either side of the aperture with the edges of the aperture being rounded and having a distance from the centre of the aperture to both outer ends of the bag holder of 5 cm.

A seventh additional embodiment for this bag holder is illustrated in FIG. 7 on drawing page 5/7 and comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a length of approximate 10 cm and a diameter of approximate 2 cm and further comprises a vertical cut of approximate 2.5 cm deep and 0.5 cm wide at both ends in the centre of the cylindrical shaped body and in addition the bag holder comprises one groove of approximate 1 cm wide and 0.2 cm deep in the middle of the bag holder with the two edges of the groove being rounded and with the running direction of the groove being around the bag holder like a ring around a finger.

An eighth additional embodiment for this bag holder is illustrated in FIG. 8 on drawing page 6/7 and comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a length of approximate 10 cm and a diameter of approximate 2 cm and further comprises one groove of approximate 1 cm wide and 0.2 cm deep in the middle of the bag holder with the two edges of the groove being rounded and with the running direction of the groove being around the bag holder like a ring around a finger.

An ninth additional embodiment for this bag holder is illustrated in FIG. 9 on drawing page 6/7 and comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a length of approximate 10 cm and a diameter of approximate 2 cm and further comprises two grooves of approximate 1 cm wide and 0.2 cm deep with the two edges of each groove being rounded and with the running direction of the grooves being around the bag holder like a ring around a finger, the centre of both grooves being 2.5 cm from both the ends of the cylindrical shaped body.

A tenth additional embodiment for this bag holder is illustrated in FIG. 10 on drawing page 6/7 and comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a length of approximate 10 cm and a diameter of approximate 2 cm and further comprises three grooves of approximate 1 cm wide and 0.2 cm deep with the two edges of each groove being rounded and with the running direction of the grooves being around the bag holder like a ring around a finger, the centre of two grooves being 2.5 cm from both the ends of the cylindrical shaped body and the third groove being in the middle of the bag holder.

From the description above, a number of advantages of my shopping bag holder become evident:

-   (a) It is cheap to construct. -   (b) It may be manufactured in a variety of materials. -   (c) It may be manufactured in a variety of colors. -   (d) It may be manufactured in a variety of shapes, like round, half     round or oval. -   (e) It may be manufactured in a variety of other dimensions, like 11     cm or 12 cm long. -   (f) It may be manufactured in a variety of diameters, like 2.5 cm or     3 cm diameter. -   (g) It may be manufactured in a variety of models to cater for     individual needs

Process of Using the Invention

The preferred embodiment of the bag holder as illustrated in FIG. 2 on drawing page 2/7, FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D on drawing page 3/7 and in FIG. 2E on drawing page 4/7 comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with two apertures. The procedure to attach shopping bags to the bag holder is as described bellow.

-   1 Firstly feed one integrally formed loop handle of a shopping bag     through one aperture of the bag holder as shown in FIG. 2D on     drawing page 3/7. -   2 Secondly pull the integrally formed loop handle of the shopping     bag up and in an open spread position around the end of the bag     holder so that the end comes to rest below the bag holder as shown     in FIG. 2D on drawing page 3/7. -   3 Pull the shopping bag firmly down to secure the shopping bag to     the bag holder. -   4 Repeat this procedure for the second integrally formed loop handle     of the shopping bag using the second aperture of the bag holder with     the result showing in FIG. 2C on drawing page 3/7 and FIG. 2E on     drawing page 4/7.

Any bag thus attached will be firmly secured to the bag holder and will not detach itself from it even when put down, held upside down or tossed around.

If keeping the bag closed is not a requirement when just walking a short distance, one can simply hang a few bags over the bag holder, especially over the recessed area where the apertures are, and carry the bags using the bag holder.

A second additional embodiment of the bag holder of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 1 on drawing page 2/7 comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with one aperture. One can attach one or two bags to the bag holder by feeding all integrally formed loop handles through the one aperture and pulling all handles in open spread position over and around one end of the bag holder and securing the bags by pulling the bags down. If keeping the bag closed is not a requirement when just walking a short distance, one can simply hang one or more bags over the recessed area where the aperture is, and carry the bag(s) using the bag holder.

A third additional embodiment for this bag holder as illustrated in FIG. 3 on drawing page 2/7 comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with three apertures. If one expects to require more than say three shopping bags, one can attach one or two bags first to the bag holder by feeding all integrally formed loop handles through the middle aperture and pulling all handles in open spread position over and around one end of the bag holder and secure the bags by pulling the bags down. After that, one can proceed by attaching more bags to the bag holder as described above in the 4 steps for attaching bags to the preferred embodiment of the bag holder as illustrated in FIG. 2D and FIG. 2C on drawing page 3/7.

A fourth additional embodiment for this bag holder as illustrated in FIG. 4 on drawing page 2/7 comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with two apertures and one groove in the middle of the bag holder.

Firstly one can simply hang one or more bags in the groove of the bag holder.

The bag or bags will be held in place as their handles are held between the middle finger and the ring finger of the hand.

Secondly one can secure shopping bags to the bag holder in the following way: Take a shopping bag in the left hand and the integrally formed loop handles of the shopping bag in the right hand. Push thumb and index finger through the opening of the loop handles of the shopping bag and push thumb and index finger apart as shown in FIG. 10A on drawing page 7/7. Now surrounding the loop handles of the shopping bag close the thumb and index finger until they touch. Hold firmly and pull the straps up a bit and past the point where they have the appearance of the handle of a pair of scissors and create a double loop opening as shown in FIG. 10B on drawing page 7/7 and insert the bag holder into this opening with the double loop opening surrounding the middle of the bag holder. Pull the bag down till firmly settled in the groove of the bag holder. Further bags can be attached to the bag holder as described above in the 4 steps for attaching bags to the preferred embodiment of the bag holder as illustrated in FIG. 2D and FIG. 2C on drawing page 3/7.

A fifth additional embodiment for this bag holder as illustrated in FIG. 5, FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B on drawing page 5/7 comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a vertical cut of approximate 2.5 cm deep and 0.5 cm wide at both ends in the centre of the cylindrical shaped body. To attach shopping bags to the bag holder simply lead the handles of one or more bags through both the cuts of the bag holder. The cuts being 2.5 cm deep will cause the handles to settle at that distance of 2.5 cm from both ends of the bag holder and when carried, the handles of the shopping bag(s) will be securely held between the index finger and middle finger and between middle finger and ring finger of the hand carrying the bag holder as shown in FIG. 5B on drawing page 5/7.

A sixth additional embodiment for this bag holder as illustrated in FIG. 6 on drawing page 5/7 comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a vertical cut of approximate 2.5 cm deep and 0.5 cm wide at both ends in the centre of the cylindrical shaped body as well as one aperture in the middle of the bag holder. Firstly one can attach one or two bags to the bag holder as described in the instructions of the third embodiment. Further bags can be attached to the bag holder as described in the instructions for the fifth embodiment as shown in FIG. 5B on drawing page 5/7.

A seventh additional embodiment for this bag holder as illustrated in FIG. 7 on drawing page 5/7 comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a vertical cut of approximate 2.5 cm deep and 0.5 cm wide at both ends in the centre of the cylindrical shaped body as well as one groove in the middle of the bag holder. To attach one or more bags utilizing the groove of the bag holder proceed as described in both instructions for embodiment four and to attach one or more bags utilizing the cuts of the bag holder proceed as described in the instructions for the fifth embodiment.

An eighth additional embodiment for this bag holder as illustrated in FIG. 8 on drawing page 6/7 comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with one groove in the middle of the bag holder. To attach one or more bags utilizing the groove of the bag holder proceed as described in both instructions for embodiment four.

A ninth additional embodiment for this bag holder as illustrated in FIG. 9 on drawing page 6/7 comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with two grooves 2.5 cm from both the ends of the cylindrical shaped body. To attach one or more bags utilizing the grooves of the bag holder proceed as described in both instructions for embodiment four.

A tenth additional embodiment for this bag holder as illustrated in FIG. 10 on drawing page 6/7 comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with three grooves having one groove 2.5 cm from both the ends of the cylindrical shaped body and the third groove being in the middle of the bag holder. To attach one or more bags utilizing the grooves of the bag holder proceed as described in both instructions for embodiment four. 

1. I claim a bag holder to carry shopping bags comprising: (a) an elongated shaped body of rigid material that can be carried in the palm of ones' hand of predetermined cross-sectional shape and predetermined length (FIG. 25) (b) having one, two or three apertures of predetermined size perpendicular to the length of the bag holder in the middle of the bag holder, where the center of the aperture of the bag holder with one aperture is in the middle of the bag holder (FIG. 1), where the centers of the apertures of the bag holder with two apertures are at one quarter and three quarter distance from one end of the bag holder (FIG. 2) and where centers of the apertures of the bag holder with three apertures are at equal distance from each other and from both the outer ends of the bag holder (FIG. 3) or (c) having lengthwise two vertical cuts, one cut at each end of the bag holder, cutting through the full height of the bag holder and of sufficient length and width to accept a number of bag handles (FIG. 5) or (d) having one, two or three grooves of predetermined width and depth, direction wise like a ring around a finger where the center of the groove of the bag holder with one groove is in the middle of the bag holder (FIG. 8), where the centers of the grooves of the bag holder with two grooves are at one quarter and three quarter distance from one end of the bag holder (FIG. 9) and where centers of the grooves of the bag holder with three grooves are at equal distance from each other and from both the outer ends of the bag holder (FIG. 10) or (e) having a combination of two vertical cuts, one cut at each end of the bag holder, cutting through the full height of the bag holder and of sufficient length and width to accept a number of bag handles and one groove of predetermined width and depth, direction wise like a ring around a finger in the middle of the bag holder (FIG. 7) or (f) having a combination of two vertical cuts, one cut at each end of the bag holder, cutting through the full height of the bag holder and of sufficient length and width to accept a number of bag handles and one aperture of predetermined size perpendicular to the length of the bag holder in the middle of the bag holder (FIG. 6) whereby the aperture in the bag holder can be utilized to attach shopping bags by feeding integrally formed loop handles of a shopping bag through the aperture of the bag holder and pulling the integrally formed loop handles of the shopping bag up and in an open spread position around the end of the bag holder and securing the shopping bag to the bag holder by pulling the shopping bag down thus keeping the shopping bag closed and preventing the content from spilling when placed on a flat surface.
 2. A bag holder of claim 1, wherein said elongated shaped body of rigid material is made of wood, plastic or aluminum and wherein said predetermined cross-sectional shape is round, half round, U-shaped or oval and wherein said predetermined length is approximate 10 cm.
 3. A bag holder of claim 2, wherein said predetermined cross-sectional shape is round and approximate 2 cm in diameter and wherein said one, two or three apertures each have a measurement of approximate 1 cm in diameter, and wherein said one, two or three grooves each have a measurement of approximate 1 cm in width and approximate 0.2 cm in depth and wherein said two vertical cuts each have a measurement of approximate 2.5 cm in length and approximate 0.5 cm in width. 